Injury after injury hasn't helped the Cowboys' transformation. The 10-game sample size has yielded the worst overall defense in the NFL, allowing 439.8 yards per game.

"It is what it is," Kiffin said. "It's not good."

In fact, it's about as bad of a defense as the NFL has ever seen.

Last season, the New Orleans Saints set the NFL record for yards allowed in a season at 7,042. The Cowboys are on pace to allow 7,037.

The Cowboys have already become the first NFL team to allow four 400-yard passers in the same a season. Their pass defense, also ranked last, is on pace to become the first NFL unit to ever allow 5,000 passing yards in a season (the NFL record is 4,796 by Green Bay in 2011).

After giving up an NFL-record 40 first downs to the Saints on Sunday, the Cowboys are on pace to allow 405. The NFL single-season record is 406 by the Baltimore Colts in 1981.

"We're in the situation we're in," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said, "and we have to figure it out."

So now what? The Cowboys have 10 days to find answers before their next game, against the Giants in New York.

They will face the Giants without middle linebacker Sean Lee — the team leader in tackles and interceptions who also relays the defensive play-calls — and strong-side linebacker Justin Durant. Lee and Durant, who is also the backup middle linebacker, suffered hamstring injuries Sunday that will keep them out the next three to four weeks.

Ernie Sims practiced at first-team middle linebacker Wednesday. Kiffin said Sims will start in Lee's place. The Cowboys considered moving Bruce Carter to the middle, but Carter hasn't exactly been consistent as the at weak-side linebacker.

The Cowboys have only four sacks over their last three games. It's no coincidence that in two of those three games they've allowed 623 yards to Detroit and 625 yards to the Saints.

"Not good enough," Marinelli said of the pressure. "It will never be good enough. I don't care what we do. I'm never satisfied."

The Cowboys' defense does have help on the way. Injured players expected to be ready to play the Giants include end DeMarcus Ware, tackle Jason Hatcher, safety J.J. Wilcox and cornerback Morris Claiborne.